Okt, 30 2025
On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, a quiet but potent bet365 promotion turned heads among sports bettors—just as the 2025 World Series Game 5 between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers was set to begin. New customers who placed a $5 bet on the game using the bonus code COVERS unlocked $200 in bonus bets, win or lose. The twist? You didn’t need to win. You just needed to show up—and bet.
How the Bonus Actually Works
It sounds too good to be true: $5 in, $200 out. But the mechanics are tighter than a fastball from Blake Snell. To qualify, you must be 21 or older, physically located in one of bet365’s 14 licensed U.S. states—Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, or Virginia—and register a brand-new account using the code COVERS (or CVSBONUS in Colorado, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania). A $10 minimum deposit is required, followed by a $5 wager on any market in Game 5 with at least one selection at -500 odds or longer. That’s the key: you can’t just bet on the favorite to win by 10 runs. You need a market with juice. Maybe a pitcher strikeout total, or a player to get a hit in the 7th inning. Something with risk.
Then, within seven days, bet365 drops $200 in bonus bets into your account. Not cash. Not free money. Bonus bets. And here’s where people get tripped up: the stake doesn’t come back. A $20 bonus bet at +200 odds pays $40 in winnings, not $60. That’s not a mistake. That’s the rule. The bonus bets expire seven days after they’re credited. No extensions. No mercy.
More Than Just Baseball
The promotion wasn’t just about the World Series. On the same day, bet365 extended the same $200 bonus offer to the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves NBA matchup. Same code. Same terms. Same urgency. It was a two-sport blitz, timed perfectly for a Wednesday night when fans were already glued to screens. And it wasn’t the only trick up bet365’s sleeve. The sportsbook also ran its NFL Early Payout Offer—where a team leading by 17 points triggers an immediate payout—and a Basketball Early Payout at 18 points. Plus, daily boosted odds and a 100% parlay boost across sports. This wasn’t a one-off. It was a full-throttle customer acquisition campaign.
Who’s Behind the Code?
The promotion was reported by Covers.com, the 27-year-old sports betting hub founded in 1998 that’s become a go-to for odds, lines, and promo alerts. Journalist Peter Clarke broke the story at 12:17 PM UTC, right as the first pitch was about to drop. His article didn’t just list the offer—it explained the fine print, the timing, and the psychology behind it. bet365, headquartered in Stoke-on-Trent, England, has been aggressively expanding in the U.S. since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that killed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. Before that, sports betting was illegal in most states. Now, it’s a $30 billion industry. And bet365 is playing catch-up to DraftKings and FanDuel. This bonus? It’s a shot across the bow.
Why This Matters to You
If you’re a casual bettor, this offer is a low-risk way to test the waters. $5 is less than a coffee. But if you’re serious about sports betting, you’re thinking bigger: How do these bonuses stack up? What’s the real value? The $200 in bonus bets might look generous, but if you’re not careful, you’ll burn through them in two or three wagers. And if you’re betting on the Blue Jays’ Yusei Kikuchi—coming off a dominant postseason run—you’re not just betting on a pitcher. You’re betting on momentum. On pressure. On a team fighting to stay alive.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ Blake Snell, who struggled in Game 1, was set to bounce back. That’s the narrative. And bet365 knows it. They’re not just selling bets. They’re selling stories. The drama. The stakes. The chance to feel like you’re part of something bigger than a $5 wager.
What’s Next for bet365?
With the World Series over and the NBA season just heating up, bet365 won’t slow down. Expect more promotions tied to playoff runs, NFL primetime games, and even college football’s rivalry week. They’re also testing localized codes—like the CVSBONUS variant in key markets—suggesting they’re fine-tuning their approach state by state. And they’re watching closely: if this campaign drives sign-ups, expect even bigger bonuses next season.
Alternative Codes and Competitors
Covers.com also noted that other media partners like CBS Sports and Fox Sports have their own bet365 codes—CBSBET365 and FOX365—though details weren’t provided. That’s typical. Sports media outlets often negotiate exclusive promo deals. One might offer higher bonus amounts. Another might extend the expiration window. The key is comparing them. Don’t just use the first code you see.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the 'COVERS' bonus code more than once?
No. The bonus is strictly for new customers who have never held a bet365 account before. Even if you deleted your old account or haven’t logged in for years, bet365’s system flags duplicate registrations. Attempting to circumvent this risks account suspension and forfeiture of any bonus funds.
Do the bonus bets work on all sports?
Yes. Once credited, the $200 in bonus bets can be used on any sport or market bet365 offers—including NFL, NBA, NHL, soccer, tennis, and even esports. But they must be used within seven days of being credited. And remember: stakes aren’t returned. Only the winnings are.
What happens if I don’t place the $5 bet within 14 days?
The bonus offer expires. You’ll still have your account, but you’ll lose access to the $200 bonus. bet365 doesn’t extend deadlines, even for loyal users. If you miss the window, you’ll need to wait for the next promotion. They come often, but rarely this generous.
Is this offer available in states where bet365 isn’t licensed?
No. bet365 uses geolocation to verify your location at registration and wagering. Even if you’re physically near a border, like in Michigan near Ohio, you won’t qualify unless you’re inside one of the 14 approved states. Using a VPN is against terms and can lead to permanent bans.
Why does bet365 use different codes in some states?
It’s a regulatory tactic. In states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania, where competition is fiercest, bet365 uses CVSBONUS to differentiate promotions from other media partners and avoid confusion. It also helps them track which marketing channels drive the most sign-ups—critical for optimizing ad spend.
How does this compare to FanDuel or DraftKings bonuses?
FanDuel and DraftKings often offer risk-free bets up to $1,000, but those usually require a larger first deposit—$10 or $20—and pay out in site credit, not bonus bets. bet365’s $200 bonus is smaller but more flexible: you can use it on any market, anytime, without needing to meet rollover requirements. It’s a better deal for low-volume bettors who want to test odds without risking more than $5.